Council Candidates Disagree On Dealing With Tropiano

April 13, 1993|by ELLIOT GROSSMAN, The Morning Call

Even when she's not around, Emma Tropiano is often the center of attention.

Last night, she briefly became the focus of an Allentown City Council candidates night. Somebody asked how the candidates would deal with Tropiano -- known for her controversial views, especially about Latinos -- if she won the mayor's race.

FOR THE RECORD - (Published Wednesday, April 14, 1993) The Morning Call yesterday incorrectly identified the group that sponsored an Allentown City Council candidates night this week. It is the Lehigh Valley Black Interest Coalition.

Democratic candidate Martin Velasquez, who has Latino roots, said that as a human relations officer for Meridian Bank the answer was obvious.

"I would seek out Emma and I would have a dialogue with her," he said.

But fellow Democrat Frank Concannon disagreed.

"I don't think any of us is going to change Mrs. Tropiano's attitude," he said. His answer: Don't force council to deal with her as mayor. Don't elect her.

The room erupted in laughter.

The dialogue occurred during the first general-interest council candidates forum this year. An earlier candidates night was held by a city union.

The 90-minute session -- sponsored by the Lehigh Black Interest Coalition -- moved from topic to topic rather quickly, considering the unusually large number of candidates -- 12.

One reason it went so quickly -- candidates were asked to give yes or no answers to several questions.

For example:

*All but one candidate supported the continued existence or expansion of the city's Human Relations Bureau, an agency that has been considered at times for extinction. Democrat William Edwards declined to give an answer.

*All the candidates said they'd be against an English-only resolution, if one would be proposed again. Tropiano caused a stir when she sponsored a resolution last year urging that English be declared the city's official language. Her resolution was eventually defeated but it got early support.

Democrat Frederick Hawkins, a current council member, said he'd support a city holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. if employees would give up another day. City employees already get too many days off, he said.

But Democratic candidates David Howells Sr. and Ernest Toth gave unconditional support to such a holiday.

"Martin Luther King gave his life but he didn't ask for anything in return, except peace and equality," Howells said. His comment prompted applause and cheers of support.

And Toth, council's president, pointed out that he was behind the move to change Lawrence Street to Martin Luther King Drive.

Several candidates said something has to be done about the city's parks.

Democrat Richard Daugherty said Center City doesn't have enough parks. A park should be within walking distance of every child, he said.

Edwards said the city has a lot of nice parks but there's not enough use of them. Too many children spend their time watching television or playing Nintendo, he said. A way has to be found to get more people to use the parks, he said.

And Democrat Marvin Johnson said too many pools are being closed and other parks are not being properly maintained.

All of the Democrats, except for Concannon, declined to endorse a mayoral candidate. Concannon threw his support to Democrat John Pressmann, whom he described as "young" and "vibrant."

The three Republicans endorsed Republican William Heydt, running unopposed for the Republican mayoral nomination.

On other issues:

*Hawkins called for the canopies to be removed from Hamilton Mall to show off the buildings' facades.

"It used to be a grand boulevard," he said. "Let's make it again, in this lifetime."

*Daugherty urged that the city send testers -- whites, blacks and Latinos -- to apply for jobs and housing to uncover discrimination in those areas.

*And Howells, a former city police chief, said city government should have the same number of minorities in its workforce as in the community.

About 40 people attended the forum at St. James AME Zion Church in Center City.

Nine candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in the May 18 primary election. Lee Haas, Joseph Hilliard and Vincent Velivis are running unopposed for the Republican nomination. Four seats are available.